Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing stable, surface-expressed polypeptides from recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell hosts. A tripartite chimetic gene and its related recombinant vector include separate DNA sequences for directing or targeting and translocating a desired gene product from a cell periplasm to the external cell surface. A wide range of polypeptides may be efficiently surface expressed, including .beta.-lactamase and alkaline phosphatase. Full enzyme activity is maintained and the proteins remain anchored to the bacterial outer membrane surface.